When Alexis Schutzman agreed to participate in the Consortium’s Partners in Learning (PIL) program as a way to fulfill her placement requirements for her degree in Early Childhood Education PreK-4 at Carlow University, she had no idea it would change her career trajectory so completely.
The PIL program connects college students with a high-needs school district to connect with elementary teachers to enable those teachers to spend more time with students who are struggling academically, while the college students continue with the rest of the class. This real-world experience fulfills placement requirements for the college students and provides much-needed support to teachers and students who would otherwise go without them.
Alexis was paired with a 4th-grade teacher at Turner Intermediate School in the Wilkinsburg School District. She shared,
“From the moment I stepped into the classroom, I felt a sense of belonging. The teachers and staff were supportive and welcoming. I got to watch and learn from these educators who poured their heart into their work. The students loved having me come, and I felt like I was making such an impact.
“Despite being there only one or two days a week…I was emotional at the end of the semester because I didn’t want to leave. That’s why, when I went to student-teach, I wanted to go back. I was lucky enough to go back to Wilkinsburg for my student teaching, first with the 4th grade teacher I had been with for Partners in Learning, and then with a 1st grade teacher. I wouldn’t have had that opportunity if it weren’t for my experience in the PIL program.”
Not only did the PIL program impact Alexis’s plans for student teaching, but it changed her long-term plans as well. Upon graduation, instead of going to a charter school or a preschool, she was hired as a long-term substitute at Wilkinsburg for one of the 1st grade teachers she had just taught with and has since been hired as a building substitute for the district.
She advises other Carlow students to participate in the PIL program if they have a chance, and to be open-minded and go all in making connections with students and staff because those relationships are so important.
“Being placed in Wilkinsburg opened my eyes to working in a high-needs district and made me realize my passion for working with these diverse, resilient students….I’m so grateful to the PIL program for this opportunity. It was the most rewarding part of my college career and has given me the opportunity to be in a district where I learned and grew as much as I have.”
